As a second generation American-born descendant of such hopeful stock, I have learned that toiling long hours without grander purpose is not progress, that the promise of opportunity is not enough to create it, and that the guarantee of freedom is never absolute. Without having experienced the hardships that prompted our ancestors to these shores, many of us tend to take continued liberties for granted. Without using, and fighting to keep freedom and opportunity, they=2 0can quickly become lost to us. The American entrepreneurial spirit is necessary to maintain the freedoms we collectively enjoy as much as creating a better life for each individual.

Like many of my generation, I could have simply continued working in a good job that paid very well with great hours and benefits, contributing into my pension plan, and simply put in my 20 years and gotten out comfortably. However at some point I realized that this lemming mindset had clouded issues that were more important for me. I was still at the mercy of the prospect of employment termination (despite how slight that was). I was still under the thumb of a nepotistic local municipality that cared more for keeping the nests of their own employment feathered than questioning the humanity of what we were doing. I found myself rubber-stamping my duties, spending more time looking over my shoulder for a nod of approval from these people than actually making any positive change. I found myself at a crossroad when I began feel ing compassion for taxpayers victimized by money-grubbing politicians, and the dubious legalities they imposed. The fact that I was a paid participant in an ideology that cared more for picking the wallets of hard working citizens than creating better neighborhoods was no longer something I could rationalize away. It was then that it occurred to me that I was in this moral dilemma because the independence dreams of my immigrant ancestors were still very much alive in me.

Without the financial resources, or background to fund a conventional business, I decided to begin examining what I was good at. I am good at creating things on an artistic level. I’ve always loved the way a humorous t-shirt, mug, or bumper sticker could bring a smile to a person momentarily, and embarked on an investigative journey on what would be the most cost effective way for me to contribute to this. For me, selling online seemed the best of all worlds. Not only could I display my designs in larger numbers, and on more products than I could ever afford to in a physical store, but because they can be orde red online, I could get them to more people including those individuals who may have disabilities that might hamper them from traveling to buy them. Plus, I could avoid all those overhead expenses that can suck a business into the abyss of oblivion during the first year.

Another factor in this decision was the ease by which I could discontinue a design that might not sell, as well as add new projects. I wanted to work at my convenience 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with messy morning hair slurping my morning tea. It was important to me that buyers have access to problem solving, or questions not only with their orders, but for customization if they wished. I wanted them to be able to peruse a large number of designs and products at their leisure without worrying if a sales clerk was going to ask them if they needed help for the fifth time in a half hour.

I’ve been able to develop a very loyal customer base, and although I initially put in many more hours in getting the business started than I ever did working at a conventional job, my personal satisfaction, and enjoyment has never been better. I am the master of my income. I answer to no one but my conscience. I have the freedom to expand into the physical realm of business by taking my designs to flea markets, entering into consignments with other stores, and even becoming the supplier to specialty shops. I no longer worry if my boss is having a bad day. I no longer worry about those pesky interpersonal dynamics between coworkers. I needn’t concern myself if a misconstrued word taken out of context will be eavesdropped on and reported to a frustrated Human Resources officer who is unnaturally eager to punish with swift temporary suspension. I am calmer, happier, and truer to myself because I am in control of my life. My grandparents would be proud, because this is why they journeyed so far from home for.

I am thankful to this great nation for allowing me an opportunity to create a viable source of income that might actually extend my life expectancy. I am thankful that I can offer other individuals the same opportunity. Not only does it give them a chance to express their artistic side, but generate additional income for work that is a labor of love. I help promote free expression, personal pride, and freedom of speech. People can show off their regional pride, their ethnic self-respect, or political ideals. Although the part I play in this is small, it is priceless in terms of maintaining the principles on which our great country was founded on.

Unfortunately, the very government we elect to assure us of these rights are threatening to take them away. That is why it is so important that small entrepreneurs stay the course. Small businesses have historically paved the way for individuals to climb the financial ladder and break class boundaries. Without the myriad of ideas, and challenging ideologies that many small businesses infuse into the American culture, less diverse, more controlled options become the only ones available to the American people. When government blatantly tries to=2 0control the entrepreneurial spirit of Americans, under whatever banner they are preaching under, it is the collective American spirit they are suppressing. Without the small business owner who is willing to express controversial opinions, offer provocative reasoning, or allow individuals to express their own unique identities, there are no choices. Freedom means being able to choose. Subsequently, there is no freedom without choice. Without the ability to break social and class boundaries, the America our ancestors embraced is sentenced to extinction.

By offering conflicting opinions, personal dogmas, and ideas designed to make people think, I believe the designs, and messages I make available on my t-shirts, mugs, stickers, and other products make a valuable contribution to the individualistic expression that is a basic right for all Americans. Without sharing our differences, without the awareness that we are far removed from the cookie-cutter mentality of people living under rigid government rule, we run the very real risk of becoming like them.